ESPN Radio talk show host Tony Kornheiser on Tuesday said the sportsnetwork issued guidelines to its employees for discussing gay athletes following NBA player Jason Collins’ announcement Monday that he is gay.

Kornheiser told listeners that the network is not telling employees “how to think,” but has encouraged broadcasters use the word “gay” instead of “homosexual,” and “sexual orientation” instead of “sexual preference.”

“They say that ‘homosexuality’ or ‘homosexual’ is used and hurled at people who are gay as a slur,” said Kornheiser, who added that he accepts that and would follow the network’s guidance, reportedNational Review Online.

Regarding the term “sexual preference,” Kornheiser told his audience that “the science position now” is that you are born gay, so it’s not a preference.

“I completely understand and agree with this one, 100 percent,” he said.

Listen:

Kornheiser also applauded Collins for his decision to come out, but suggested that the event isn’t “as landscape-changing as other people might think it is.”

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